The devastated family of a father-of-one fatally stabbed as he celebrated his birthday in central London today said his death had “broken a million hearts”.

Nicholas Henry, 33, was killed after an altercation outside Raduno nightclub in Farringdon early on Sunday morning.

Mr Henry, who has a four-year-old son and was described as a full-time carer for his elderly grandmother, was rushed to an east London hospital but pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

His family today said he was acting as a peacemaker in a dispute which led to him being stabbed in the chest after he had spent the evening celebrating his birthday with his friends.

Speaking outside his home in South Ealing, his elder sister Tracy said: “He was trying to defuse the situation and keep the peace. We are shocked as anyone who knew him or met him would not want to hurt him.

“On Friday he celebrated his birthday at home with his family, with his son and his nephew and his mum and sisters and his brother.

“He put family first. We brought him a cake and gave him presents. We sang him happy birthday. His four-year-old son blew out his candles. We sat down, we chatted, we laughed.”

His sister said Mr Henry, known to friends as “Loss”, helped their mother look after their 88-year-old grandmother and had even agreed to sleep on the couch so she could have his room.

She said: “He was the main carer. He looked after his son and family. Everyone is equally shocked, people that knew him from school, people who have never met him are hurting so much. We have had grown men doubled up on the floor crying.

“Everyone has the same thing, they are shocked. He could go to south London or east London, he could to any country and get love.

“He was my little brother but he was like my big brother. He would give it to you and have none.

“The person who did this has hurt us and has hurt his four-year-old son in a way he won’t even understand yet. He will hurt for the rest of his life growing up.”

Mr Henry’s murder is the first homicide to take place within the City limits in four years.

Robert Lee Casey, 25, was today due to appear in court accused of Mr Henry’s murder after being charged by City of London Police yesterday evening.